That was the message from local MLA Dolores Kelly as she met with DRD officials last week.

During meetings with officials from housing development agencies Mrs Kelly highlighted the fact that Lurgan is in serious decline because brownfield sites are not being released for development.

On a walk about with DSD officials Mrs Kelly identified several sites within the town area which could be released for building.

DSD officials could assist with the funding but there would need to be less talking and more action, she said.

Mrs Kelly added: “Life and vitality in Lurgan has been neglected by the statutory agencies for too long. I will be seeking meetings with the Department of Regional Development to press them on more development for the Lurgan area."

Among sites Mrs kelly identified were land between William Street and Ulster Street, land to the rear of High Street and bordering Millennium way and land at Castle Lane.

The land at Castle Lane is currently the subject of a planning application for housing and retail outlets.

The land had also been identified for a major £100 million development which fell through after an anchor tenant for the scheme pulled out - with the town centre boundaries designations blamed.

In other developments it has emerged the town's commercial properties have also been hit by a major slump in the property market.

The 'MAIL' understands some properties in the town have shed at least two-thirds of their value in the past year.

Informed sources have pointed to a three-pronged 'attack' on prices - the general drop in property prices, the town centre boundaries designation and the impact of Rushmere on trade in Lurgan.

A legal challenge to the town centre boundaries document published earlier this year has been launched by Portadown businesses and sources in Lurgan have said the council should be doing more to protect ratepayers in the town town centres and fighting their case.

The town centre boundaries did Lurgan no favours - cutting out the far side of Millennium Way for retail development.

In terms of the drop in property prices the 'MAIL' understands two properties on High Street recently sold at auction for a combined £250,000, one was the old Fobel Centre. When that property was on the market last year it alone was fetching bids in the region of £350,000.